RunCity

Heraklion on foot: a self-guided walking route

This route takes you past 8 of Heraklion's best-known sights, including Jesus Gate, Agios Minas Cathedral, Morosini Fountain and Lions Square and more. It is about 3.5 km on foot, roughly 1.5 hours at an easy pace with short stops. Follow the list on your own, or play it as a free GPS checkpoint game with RunCity and race the clock on the Heraklion leaderboard.

  • 8Stops
  • about 3.5 kmDistance
  • 1.5 hoursWalking
  • about 37 minRunning
Play Heraklion in RunCity

Free during launch. Runs in your phone's browser; the app is in English, German and Hungarian.

Heraklion
Photo: PeterWikiSK · CC BY-SA 4.0

Heraklion is Crete's capital, a Venetian-walled port and the gateway to Knossos, and this route covers its centre in about 3.5 km. It starts at the bonus stop, the grave of Nikos Kazantzakis on the Martinengo bastion of the Venetian walls, inscribed with his line about hoping for nothing and fearing nothing. The Jesus Gate in the walls and the large Agios Minas Cathedral lead to Lions Square and the Morosini Fountain.

The arcaded Venetian Loggia and the church of Agios Titos, the Venetian Shipyards where galleys were built, and the Koules Fortress at the end of the harbour mole follow, and the route ends at the Archaeological Museum, which holds the treasures of Minoan Crete. Bus 2 runs from the centre to the palace of Knossos, about 5 km away; visit the museum and the palace on the same day.

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Download the route as GPX (for Komoot, Strava or a watch)

The stops

A suggested order. In the game you can visit them in any order.

  1. Kazantzakis Tomb

    Kazantzakis Tomb Bonus Photo

    The simple grave on top of the Martinengo bastion.

    Photo: C messier · CC BY-SA 4.0

  2. Jesus Gate

    Jesus Gate Photo

    The old gate in the Venetian city wall.

    Photo: C messier · CC BY-SA 4.0

  3. Agios Minas Cathedral

    Agios Minas Cathedral

    The large domed cathedral of the city.

    Photo: J.hagelüken · CC BY-SA 4.0

  4. Morosini Fountain and Lions Square

    Morosini Fountain and Lions Square Photo

    The lion fountain in the middle of the square.

    Photo: Moonik · CC BY-SA 3.0

  5. Venetian Loggia and Agios Titos

    Venetian Loggia and Agios Titos Photo

    The arcaded Venetian loggia with the church of Agios Titos beside it.

    Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0

  6. Venetian Shipyards

    Venetian Shipyards

    The arched vaults where Venetian galleys were built.

    Photo: Moonik · CC BY-SA 3.0

  7. Koules Fortress

    Koules Fortress Photo

    The Venetian sea fortress at the end of the old harbour mole.

    Photo: PeterWikiSK · CC BY-SA 4.0

  8. Archaeological Museum

    Archaeological Museum

    The museum that holds the great treasures of Minoan Crete.

    Photo: Olaf Tausch · CC BY 3.0

Play Heraklion in RunCity

Leaderboard

    Questions

    Can you see Heraklion on foot in one day?

    Yes. The 8 stops on this route add up to about 3.5 km, roughly 1.5 hours at an easy pace with short stops.

    Is this self-guided walking tour free?

    Yes. The route and map on this page are free, and the RunCity game for Heraklion is free during launch.

    How does the RunCity game work in Heraklion?

    Open Heraklion in RunCity, walk to a stop and tap Validate: your phone's GPS confirms you are there. Some stops also ask for a photo. Timed runs go on the Heraklion leaderboard.

    Where does the route start?

    This page suggests starting at Kazantzakis Tomb and finishing at Archaeological Museum. In the game you can take the stops in any order.

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